“How were your dates, Shane? Leaning one way or another for tomorrow?”
Shane takes a moment to look to me, and when he does, I notice he isn’t as smiley as he normally would be.
He shakes his head. “To lock in with someone, the feeling has to be mutual. I definitely only have one choice.”
That didn’t answer my question, and I’m instantly set on edge. Thankfully, he doesn’t leave me in my misery for too long before he’s continuing.
“She’s crazy about you, man. Take care of her,” Shane says.
He doesn’t need to specify or say anything more. My nerves settle, and I nod in agreement.
Andrew laughs. “Well, that look right there answered all of our questions.”
“What?” I ask.
Mason continues. “We were all wondering whose girl you were gonna steal. You definitely had your pick today.”
I scoff. “Like Shane said, a decision has to bemutual.”
“And they all mutually chose you, apart from a few,” Connor chimes in.
Several guys agree.
I mean, yeah. It felt pretty great to have that many beautiful women vying for my attention. Who wouldn’t love it? When it comes down to it, though, I’m here for the real thing. I want to be with someone who sets me on fire, makes me excited to see them. Someone I could build a life with.
The bedroom door flies open, and in walks the beautiful woman herself. I smile at Courtney, but it immediately drops when I really see the look on her face. Before I can ask what’s wrong, a sharp sting erupts on my cheek, and my head snaps to the side.
I hear several oohs from the guys as Courtney begins shouting.
“I shouldn’t be surprised. I really shouldn’t. I mean, what the fuck do you owe me, right? I thought that I’d earned your respect at the very least. Having to walk in on that shit? That was fucked up, Noah!”
Maybe I’m disoriented from the slap, or maybe I’m just really not on the same page, but I don’t know what the fuck she’s talking about. I hear the rustling of more cameramen, practically sprinting for the supposed “action” when Courtney attempts to slap me again. Her hand misses by just a hair, and then Landon wraps her up, pinning her back against his chest and holding her hands down by her side.
“Get the fuck off me! Don’t defend this piece of shit!” she snarls at him.
Landon doesn’t seem to mind her tirade, in fact, I’d say the fucker looks amused.
I push myself to my feet, then tentatively close the distance between us, ignoring her threats and expletives until I’m face toface with her. Grabbing her cheeks, I force her gaze to meet mine. “Baby, what the hell is going on?”
She practically gnashes her teeth at me and laughs bitterly. “Why don’t you tell me what the hell is going on, Noah? Huh? Tell me how one minute we can be on a date where you’re all but spelling out that you want to be with me, and the next, you’re shoving your tongue down Savannah’s throat?”
It’s like she’s slapped me again, my head recoils from her words, and I shake my head in shock.
“What? Who the hell did you hear that from?”
“Savannah!” Courtney scoffs. “She’s in our room bragging about how you kissed her! I just…” Her words trail off, but I don’t stick around to let her finish.
On a mission, I storm out of the room and down the hall, and it doesn’t take long to find the group of girls leaving their bunk room, presumably heading for the pool.
“What the fuck?” I shout at them.
Kiera and Angel startle, but Savannah raises a bored eyebrow.
“What?”
“You told Courtney that we kissed? Why the hell would you run your mouth about some nonsense like that?” I snarl.
I can feel nearly everyone behind me, and based on the looks the girls give over my shoulder before coming back to me, it’s confirmed everyone is watching. I couldn’t give a shit right now, though.
